“We were waiting to see what Mutinhiri is going to do. The honourable Member of Parliament preached peace and political tolerance among supporters of rival political parties. Through the government sponsored Constitution Development Fund, Mutinhiri rehabilitated dilapidated clinics, furnished school classrooms and initiated income generating projects for households throughout the constituency.
Mutinhiri kept her promises and it was devastating to learn that such a democrat had created enemies in her own party. We will follow her future political decisions,” said a senior villager from Mupazvirihwo village.
Other villagers from neighbouring wards concurred.
“Should Mutinhiri decide to take a back seat and watch political events from the terraces, the majority of pro-Zanu (PF) supporters would abstain from the next ballot. This would hand-over the constituency to MDC-T. Mutinhiri was the face of Zanu (PF) politics here,” said a local man.
“Names of possible Zanu (PF) candidates for the constituency in the coming elections stink of defeat. Zanu (PF) politics here start and ends with Mutinhiri and there was no other way about it,” he added.
MDC supporters in the constituency said Marondera East politics had reached an interesting junction following Mutinhiri’s dismissal.
MDC-T councillor ward 19 and Marondera East District Chairperson, Samuel Machekanyanga, said: “Despite conflicting political ideologies with Mutinhiri, she was that type of a legislator who accommodated politicians from rival political parties. We enjoyed good working relations with her as Member of Parliament and we would give each other due respect”.
“Zanu (PF) should be reminded that although it won the constituency mainly through terror tactics, the fall of Mutinhiri might signal the end of Zanu (PF) in the Marondera East Constituency. She really called the shots in the constituency and endeared herself with villagers from across the political divide” said an MDC activist at village 19, Nhowe.
The Zanu (PF) heir to the constituency, Lawrence Katsiru, is not expected to retain his seat for Zanu (PF) in the next election as he was fingered in several cases of human rights abuse.
“For Zanu (PF) to nominate Katsiru as the possible parliamentary candidate for the area was an indication that the former ruling party has run out of credible contestants,” said a villager.
Post published in: News